Home defeat for Seasiders

8:49am Thursday 15th November 2007

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PENARTH 13 TREORCHY 31 HAVING been unfortunate to lose their 2007-8 unbeaten record to leaders Bedlinog the previous week, the Seasiders must have fancied a less trying run-out against 6th-placed Treorchy, without a win in three games.

However, the Rhondda Valley Club had other ideas about how easy they were going to make it and matters rapidly became rather unpleasant.

The sides exchanged early penalties before the real business of the afternoon kicked off, but it was Penarth who crossed the line first as a classic maul delivered the usual result: a Mike Clare try in the left-hand corner. James Docherty added the extras.

Treorchy struck back with a couple more penalties, but by now the real agenda was becoming plain as Mike Clare fell victim to some enthusiastic stamping at the bottom of a ruck, while Darroll Howden was soon receiving similar attention.

As half-time approached, the visitors edged in front with a try and a further exchange of penalties resulted in a score of 13-19 at the break.

The second half brought no relief and the rough stuff continued. Howden was forced to leave the field with concussion following another stamping incident and hooker Rhys Blake was lined up for the same treatment, Peter Bennett taking over in the front row.

The Seasiders met this appalling challenge remarkably well in the circumstances and with 15 minutes remaining, the score was stuck precariously on 13-19, but this was where Penarth's luck finally ran out and Treorchy were allowed to escape with their ill-gotten gains.

Chris Mortimer departed with a red card following yet another scrap and Treorchy drove deep into the Seasiders' half from the penalty gained. Peter Bennett soon followed with a yellow and the game was up for 13-man Penarth.

The visitors scored two further tries, extending their lead to 18 points, but you have to suspect that the Seasiders had long since lost interest in this particular pantomime.

To turn the old cliché on its head, at least Penarth can now concentrate on the cup and a second-round trip to Glynneath beckons this Saturday.

However, the extensive injury list resulting from the Treorchy fixture will make progress in this competition that much harder.

The Vale of Neath club had little trouble disposing of Div 5 (N) Rhyl in the First round, winning 92-0, but the realities of league rugby reasserted themselves last Saturday as they were toppled from second place in Div 4 (SW), losing 32-10 at Taibach.

PENARTH Davies, Roberts, Bevan, G Blake, Crothers, Docherty, Edwards, Merrett, R Blake (Bennett), Power, Ball, Gooding, Howden (Mortimer), Clare, Cosslett.

WRU National League Division 3 (South East) Saturday, November 10 P W D L F A Pts 1 Bedlinog 7 6 1 0 171 67 29 2 St Peters 7 6 0 1 146 87 25 3 Llantwit Fardre 7 4 1 2 170 113 23 4 Penarth 7 4 1 2 138 107 20 5 Old Illtydians 7 4 1 2 150 103 20 6 Tylorstown 7 4 0 3 134 133 18 7 Treorchy 7 4 0 3 159 135 18 8 Gilfach Goch 6 3 0 3 104 82 14 9 Brecon 7 1 0 6 130 165 9 10 Fairwater 6 1 1 4 66 120 6 11 Heol y Cyw 6 1 0 5 83 208 4 12 Tonyrefail 7 0 1 6 103 228 3